and thus Baptism is co-operated by the Presence of the TRINITY. The FATHER appeared in the Voice; the SON in Man; the HOLY GHOST in the Dove. The mystery of the TRINITY also appeared after the LORD had been baptized, and not when He was in the act of being baptized, because, since He needed not cleansing grace, He was not baptized with His Own Baptism, but with that of John, whose Baptism was given in the Name of Him Who should come; but that of CHRIST is given in the Name of the TRINITY; and therefore it was fitting that the Name of the TRINITY should be unfolded, not in the act, but afterwards; and thereby signifying that Baptism should be given in the Name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY GHOST. Thus we see that the LORD indicated that Baptism should be appointed. He instituted it, and when He had instituted it, He confirmed it.

He indicated it by word and deed, when He said, "Except a man be born of water and the SPIRIT," and when He was Himself baptized by John. He instituted it by sending His Disciples to preach and baptize in His Name; and confirmed it by the Water and the Blood which issued from His Side, and also after His Resurrection.

We have been brought out of Egyptian bondage by Baptism, as by the Red Sea, and consecrated by the Blood of CHRIST, our enemies (that is our sins) being dead. For Baptism hath all its efficacy from the Death of CHRIST and the shedding of His Blood.

Hymn of Praise.

Glory to Thee, our LORD, Who becamest our Shepherd, and gatheredst us, wast baptized, and cleansedst us. Thy mercies, O LORD, inclined Thee, Thy goodness constrained Thee to be clad in our flesh, and baptized by John in Jordan, to sanctify Holy Baptism, by Thy Baptism.

The servant said to his LORD, I have need, O Saviour, to be baptized of Thee, for Thou art He Who atonest for sinners. LORD, have mercy upon us.

The Creator of all creatures was baptized, and ascended out of the waters, and the FATHER spake, "This is My Beloved SON." The HOLY SPIRIT, in the likeness of a Dove, flew, lighted upon His Head, and the crowds knew the Only Begotten, Whose SON He was. LORD, have mercy upon us!

Blessed be He, Who in His love humbled Himself, and was baptized by the hands of His servant, and redeemed our race, and took it up with Himself to heaven! GOD, have mercy upon us!

Blessed be He, Who bowed His Majesty, and in His Baptism typified to us the mystery of His Death and Resurrection, and made us meet for Baptism, and to be sons of the FATHER. Alleluia! Blessed be He Who sanctified and cleansed us by His Baptism, JESUS, Saviour of the world. Amen. Alleluia !

The highest heavens gave a sound when our LORD was baptized, and the angelic hosts adored.

Glory to Thee, our LORD, Who by Thy Baptism,

redeemedst the Church, and her sons, and didst free it from error.

Glory be to Him Who liveth, Who was baptized in Jordan, and clothed us with His glory, and sanctified us with His Baptism. Blessed be He Who sanctifieth the penitent.

O Church, sing glory this day to the King of Kings, for this His great mercy!

Prayers.

O Thou, Who, by Thy Baptism, sanctifiedst Baptism to us, which cleanseth us from all filth of sin

GOD, have mercy upon us!

;

Thou, Who, by Thy Baptism, rejoicedst heaven and earth, gladden Thy Church; make Thy peace and quiet to rest upon it, and keep her sons by Thy Cross. Have mercy upon us!

Thou, Who humblest Thyself through Thy love, and being baptized by the hands of Thy servant, didst redeem our race from the slavery of sin ;

Have mercy upon us!

All praise, glory, adoration, and thanksgiving be rendered unto Thee, O LORD JESUS, SON of the Living GOD, Who didst vouchsafe to humble Thyself to receive Baptism, from the hands of Thy servant John, in the river Jordan, that we might be cleansed and sanctified by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the HOLY GHOST. O mercifully forgive all my past sins. Cleanse me from all filthiness of flesh

and spirit; and grant, that being purified by Thy SPIRIT, I may by the help of Thy Grace walk henceforth in newness of life; and at the end of my pilgrimage be conducted by Thee, through the swellings of Jordan into that land of promised rest, where I shall see Thee, possess and enjoy Thee, and praise the Glorious and Holy Name of FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST, One GOD, for ever and ever. Amen.

(For the anniversary of Baptism.)

O LORD, Heavenly FATHER, Almighty and Everlasting GOD, Who of Thine infinite goodness towards me, when I was born in sin, and was no other than an heir of everlasting wrath, didst vouchsafe that I should, as upon this day, be born again of water, and the HOLY GHOST, in the blessed laver of Baptism, being thereby made a member of CHRIST, and an heir of eternal life; for this Thine inestimable favour I do here gratefully commemorate that happy day, and in most humble and hearty will, I do extol the abundant riches of Thy glorious grace, in Thy sight, and in the sight of Thy holy angels, with all the company of Heaven, renewing that sacred vow which was then made in my name, to forsake this wicked world, and to live, as a Christian ought to do, in obedience to Thy holy Faith and Commandments; most humbly beseeching Thee, of Thy great mercy, to pardon me all former breaches of my solemn promise, and to endue me with the assistance of Thy HOLY SPIRIT, that henceforth I may walk in newness of life, worthy of that blessed

estate whereunto Thou hast called me: and keeping myself unspotted of the world, the flesh, and the devil, I may die daily unto sin, for which cause I was baptized into the Death of CHRIST; and as I had my part, as on this day, in the first regeneration, so I may at the last day have my part in the second and great regeneration of the world, to live and reign with Thee for ever through the merits of JESUS CHRIST Our Lord. Amen.

O most Glorious GOD, the FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY GHOST, One GOD, Blessed for ever; in all humility of soul and body I cast myself down at Thy footstool, beseeching Thee, for JESUS CHRIST's sake, to accept of my most hearty thanks for the great privilege of Christian parents, and being by them dedicated to Thy worship and service, according to our Blessed Saviour's institution, in the holy Sacrament of Baptism; wherewith that most gracious covenant which Thou hast most wonderfully condescended to make with the sinful sons of men, through JESUS CHRIST, was, in a most solemn manner, sealed unto me, and by me; the promise and vow which was then made to Thee, O GOD, in my name, I do now unfeignedly acknowledge myself bound to believe, and to do all that was then promised for me; and by Thy help, which I most earnestly beseech Thee to grant me, so I will. Good LORD, pardon my negligence hitherto in learning my duty, and all the sins whereof I have been guilty since I was baptized, to this very moment; and graciously accept of me, thus in my